Serving Yokosuka Base for More Than 60 Years

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By Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian Sloan

Rear Adm. John Alexander commander, Task Force 70, podium, addresses members of the media prior to the ship’s departure for its 2015 patrol. George Washington and its embarked air wing, Carrier Air Wing (CVW) 5, provide a combat-ready force that protects and defends the collective maritime interests of the U.S. and its allies and partners in the Indo-Asia-Pacific region.U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Brian Sloan/Released)

YOKOSUKA, Japan – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) departed Fleet Activities Yokosuka, Japan, for its patrol of the Indo-Asia-Pacific region as the flagship for the George Washington Carrier Strike Group (GWCSG), May 18.

George Washington served as the U.S. Navy’s forward deployed aircraft carrier for seven years and is currently scheduled to conduct a hull swap with the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) this summer.

“On behalf of my crew, we are grateful for the friendships we have shared while forward-deployed in Yokosuka,” said Capt. Timothy Kuehhas, George Washington’s commanding officer. “USS George Washington will now begin a journey, which will end in Virginia, but some of the crew of USS George Washington will transfer to Reagan during our voyage.”

As George Washington departs, Ronald Reagan is scheduled to return as the U.S. Navy’s next forward-deployed aircraft carrier.

“As George Washington departs today, rest assured, we will return with Ronald Reagan to maintain our commitment to security within the region,” said Rear Adm. John Alexander commander, GWCSG. “I look forward to continued teamwork with our Japanese allies across a broad range of regional and global issues.”

Sailors aboard the Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS George Washington (CVN 73) spell out goodbye in Japanese on the ship’s flight deck for the Japanese Self-Defense Force Izumo-class helicopter destroyer JS Izumo (DDH-183) as George Washington departs for its 2015 patrol.U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Matthew Riggs/Released)